Manufacturing Apprentices are the answer


A Birmingham engineering firm boss is demanding a boost to apprentice numbers in a bid to beat the ongoing skills shortage. Alan Lusty, who is chief


executive of Kings Norton-based Adi Group, said the skills problem was a national issue, but local firms could take action to address it in the West Midlands. He said: “Birmingham is a


vibrant, diverse city with heaps of potential thanks to its young workforce and growing outside investment. However, despite once being known as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’, there is an ongoing shortage of skilled individuals across a number of industries. “This is not just a local problem –


many reports over the last few years have highlighted a nationwide skills gap – yet we can begin to solve it on a regional level. “It is crucial for businesses,


schools and local government to work together to ensure young people have access to high quality training schemes from an early age. This will ensure they have a head start on a fulfilling career in their chosen industry.”


scheme, and Adi says that other businesses should follow suit and adopt the model. In addition, Adi has also joined the


government backed ‘5% Club’, which is an attempt to address the lack of apprentices in the UK. The organisation wants UK businesses to ensure that five per cent of their workforce is made up of apprentices. Mr Lusty said: “At Adi, we


Alan Lusty: skills shortage must be addressed


‘It is crucial for businesses, schools and local government to work together’


Mr Lusty said that his own


company was playing its part in addressing the problem. Last September, Adi launched a pre- apprenticeship qualification for 14- 16-year olds, claimed to be the first of its kind in the country. There are currently 24 pre-apprentices on the


recognise how crucial young, skilled apprentices are to securing a healthy economy and vibrant future for our country. “More businesses need to follow


our example by encouraging young people to consider STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) roles as potential career paths.” Mr Lusty’s comments follow the


release of findings in the Chamber’s Birmingham Economic Review 2017. The report found that a shortage


of skilled workers is one of the biggest barriers to the city’s economic growth and that only 48.4 per cent of the workforce was educated to NVQ3 level or above, compared to 56.9 per cent nationally.


For more on addressing the skills shortage, see page 28


Hub provides a home for talent


West Midlands mayor Andy Street is pictured meeting the next generation of engineers during a visit to EEF’s Technology Hub. Mr Street met some of the 400 apprentices who train


at the hub in Aston, Birmingham. The apprentices are trained using the latest machinery and equipment found at major manufacturing and engineering companies. Mr Street said: “The Technology Hub is offering much


needed first-hand experience of high end engineering and manufacturing at all levels, preparing young people for the workplace and helping to open up the huge opportunities in this sector. “Creating new jobs and opportunities in the West Midlands is vital for future prosperity and giving young people the proper skills is at the heart of the solution to the skills gap.”


Mayor Andy Street with tomorrow’s engineers


Paul Black: manufacturers must avoid three ‘roadblocks’


The roadblocks that halt success


Manufacturing in the West Midlands remains hugely important to the UK, according to a Solihull-based business leader. However, Paul Black, who is


chief executive at Sales-I, which markets an online sales tool, says manufacturers need to focus on three sales performance ‘roadblocks’ to remain profitable, and these were: pricing, differentiation and administration. Price remains the key factor


in many consumer purchasing decisions, but Paul cautioned firms against resorting to discounting. He said: “In the short-term, discounting does boost revenue, but it’s not profitable over time. It typically attracts one-off customers looking for the cheapest deal. This means that potentially loyal customers won’t stick around.” He added that


differentiation was a good way for smaller suppliers to stand out in the crowd. He said: “Businesses need to


keep both eyes peeled on their target audiences and diversify their product lines.” The final ‘roadblock’ was


administration, he said, and the message here was simply to reduce it wherever possible, by utilising technology and putting effective processes in place.


Sector Focus


December 2017/January 2018 CHAMBERLINK 53


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64